Member Article

Company launches training academy for staff

A North East company which makes food for some of the UK’s biggest supermarkets has entered into a unique partnership with a local college to deliver training to its 600 staff.

SK Chilled Foods has established a new Training and Development Academy.

Staff at the company’s three sites in Teesside are now able to select from an initial 28 different ‘bite-size’ courses which have been put together with, and accredited by, Stockton Riverside College.

The courses, which range from ‘An introduction to management and team leading’ through to ‘Food appreciation and culinary skills’, are designed to ensure staff employed by SK Chilled Foods are among the best qualified, best trained and most motivated in our sector.

Julie Knight, HR Manager at SK Chilled Foods, said: “The development of all our people is a key priority and in partnership with Stockton Riverside College we are delighted to launch the first-ever SK Training and Development Academy.

“We operate in a highly competitive environment so the need for highly skilled and motivated colleagues throughout our business is crucial to the ongoing growth and future success of SK.

“The key for us all will be to not only develop specific job related skills, but also to provide programmes that build things such as confidence, people skills and promote team work and broader business awareness that is not only relevant for ‘the now’, but also equips people for future career development opportunities.

“We have been working on a broad range of skills and personal development modules that are to be available for everyone throughout our business. The modules will be added to over time and form the nucleus of our commitment to employing only the best people.”

The courses will be delivered by a combination of SK’s own management team and the use of highly skilled external trainers, including lecturers from Stockton Riverside College and people with specialisms in areas such as social media.

Ms Knight added: “The courses are entirely voluntary and aimed at people working at every level of our business, from myself to people working on the factory floor.

“So, we can help people with everything from how to write an email, through to planning a menu and cooking food. “We want the courses to be educational but stimulating and engaging as well.”

Stockton Riverside College’s Director of Business Development, Michelle Elliott, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for all the staff of SK Foods and the development of the Training and Development Academy shows the company’s ongoing commitment to its employees.

“At Stockton Riverside College we work in close partnership with businesses to help develop current and future staff, helping people to develop real skills to meet the real demands of the workplace.

“We are looking forward to continuing our work with SK Foods and assisting with the further training and development of their staff.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Neil Shaefer .